Coriander Leaf, Gurgaon: Independence Day Special Review

Contributed by Pawan Soni

Coriander Leaf needs no introduction. Located at the heart of Gurgaon city, behind DT City centre mall on the MG Road, Coriander Leaf restaurant has always been a preferred destination for Indian and Pakistani cuisines in a fine dining format. I have personally been to the restaurant several times, and I was thrilled to be invited to review their independence week special food festival. In the Phillipines and few other countries, the Independence day food festival is celebrated with much fanfare through out the country, and I was happy to note that standalone restaurants in India are also making that extra effort to celebrate the day. However, this day still remains a big untapped opportunity for all in the food business which is a mandatory off for most of the working class.

To celebrate the 64th anniversary of our Independence, Coriander Leaf has come out with a new menu with 64 dishes covering the length and breadth of the country. The selected dishes from various state comprising of Kashmir, Rajasthan, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Sikkim, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh among others were included in the special menu which was printed in the shape of the Indian map. I asked for the regular menu to see if the menu was truely different and I was happy to note that over 80% of the dishes were new and were not a part of their regular menu. The decor, with small Indian flags centred at the table, patriotic songs playing on a low volume, and servers dressed in traditional Kurta, payjama, and Gandhi cap set the mood perfectly for Independence week food festival if a trifle predictively.

Obviously it would have been an impossible task for me to try out all the dishes, I asked the corporate Chef R.K.Reddy to suggest the food. I am a hardcore non-vegetarian and to balance it out, I was joined by my friend who is a vegetarian. We started by having some Mattha (Maharashtra), Chicken 65 (Karnataka), Tabak Maaz (Kashmir), Bhopali Kabab (Madhya Pradesh), and Paneer ka Soola (Rajasthan). I have never been fond of grilled paneer. It usually is too bland, chewy, or not marinated properly. But I must admit the Paneer ka Soola at Coriander Leaf was a welcome change. Even Chicken 65 and Bhopali Kabab were as authentic as they could get.

In the main course Chef suggested we go for Mutton Vindaloo (Goa), Vegetarian stew with Malabar Parantha (Kerala), Dal-Bhati-Churma (Rajasthan), Chipala Pulusu (Andhra Pradesh), Prawn Xacuti (Goa) and Chicken Keema Parantha (Delhi). Since I am still to develop a taste for Hilsa fish (thorny!), I requested Chef to replace Hilsa with sole fish in Chipala Pulusu. The authenticity got lost in the process and though the gravy was tangy and spicy, I could not fully appreciate the dish. All other dishes with special mention to Dal-Bhati-Churma and Prawn Xacuti were awesome. So soft, so juicy and so traditional. Malabar Parantha with vegetarian stew is a must must recommended dish for all vegetarians. It is a welcome change from the ubiquitious Dal Makhani and Shahi Paneer which we north Indians are so used to ordering everytime we go out.

The desserts were again full of options from across the country. We tried Malai Ghewar (Rajasthan), Dal Payasam (Tamil Nadu), Bhutte ki Kheer (Madhya Pradesh), Seviayan Muzaffar (UP) and Makhane ki kheer (Bihar). I had Bhutte ki kheer for the first time and was surprised to see a dessert made of corns. Very innovative and original. Makahne ki kheer and Malai Ghewar topped with some fresh rabri also needs a special mention. These were absolute melt-in-the-mouth.

The festival is on only till 19th August 2010 for both lunch and dinner. I strongly recommend all the food lovers and people who have migrated to Gurgaon/Delhi from other states to come and try the authentic home state food where every flavor of India is brought together to bring you a lavish and scrumptious food festival. I look forward to more such opportunities to experience traditional food that offers a great fine dining experience wrapped in a delightful ambience.

-Pawan Soni

For reservations contact: 0124-4062121

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